This is the second consecutive year the teams have faced each other in the ALDS. The Tigers won three of the five games last year on their way to the 2012 World Series. The A's won four of seven between the clubs this season and have the home-field advantage in this five-game set. There's no reason the Tigers shouldn't beat the A's again. They have the superior offense, dominating starting pitching and the Manager Jim Leyland in the dugout. Yet the A's love being counted out. They won 96 regular season games — three more than Detroit — are tremendous at home and have relished the underdog role since 2012. Detroit has the best baseball player on the planet in third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who is likely to win his second consecutive most-valuable-player award. The A's have Coco Crisp, the pesky leadoff hitter who had 22 homers and 21 stolen bases this season. But the embodiment of the unheralded A's is third baseman Josh Donaldson, who has power (30 homers) a good eye (76 walks) and a penchant for sacrificing his body on defense. Player health might go a long way in determining the outcome. Cabrera (groin) and defensive standout Jose Iglesias (hand) have been banged up recently for Detroit. Oakland slugger Josh Reddick has been hampered by a right wrist injury and star left fielder Yoenis Cespedes might be limited to a DH role because of right shoulder soreness. Leyland and A's Manager Bob Melvin aren't afraid to play hunches, so it could be an interesting chess match. Detroit's Jhonny Peralta and Oakland's Game 1 starter Bartolo Colon have each served drug-related suspensions. If the Tigers' stout rotation dominates, Detroit wins this series. But playoff games often come down to the bullpens, and the A's have a distinct advantage there (3.22 relief earned-run average versus Detroit's 4.01).